Paul Desmond

It seems that in most things, the height of my interest will tend to be toward the unique. In art it’s Vermeer, Klimt, Mondrian, Pollock. In humor it is Carlin, Steven Wright, Emo Phillips. Nobody comes close.

Music is included. The musicians I appreciate the most are those that have their own sound or technique. They don’t bother to imitate any other musician or sound. They lead.

Of course, the list begins with Paul Desmond. In four bars you know it’s him.

I just finished reading an article titled "Paul" by Gene Lees. It was full of anecdotes about Desmond’s quick mind and miserable planning. It is a good read and will take you a good half hour. I finished the biographical book “Take Five” by Desmond’s longtime friend Doug Ramsey, a couple weeks ago. It’s told entirely through quotes from personal letters, newspaper and magazine articles and interviews. It describes Desmond the same way:
witty, friendly and alone.

Paul didn’t lead an exemplary life, was actually a bit reclusive, thoroughly undependable, sometimes considered a womanizer, said to drink and smoke uncontrollably. Yet, with all his faults, those who knew him will tear up when speaking of him, decades after his death. He was a kind and friendly gentleman.

Today, in 1977 we lost Paul Desmond. He was only 52.